Aug. 30 Menu and Events (Day 4)

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Ready to grill up some fun for Labor Day weekend?

It’s almost Labor Day weekend!

I hope you’re planning some terrific things to eat this weekend to keep you on plan. Typically the meats aren’t the issue; it’s the parade of starchy and sweet dishes that you really have to beware of. Planning ahead makes all of the difference. I am going to be fine this weekend, but I hope everyone else sticks in there. There are better holidays to splurge on that one filled with meat, so do your best and expect a loss on Monday!

While you look at what I’m doing, be sure to do your thing. I am thrilled to provide some ideas, but I’m not the person you should necessarily look to for dieting advice (I’m not a paid nosh-a-titian). I am, however, here with you to cheer you on and help you hold your pants on when your drawers try to drop due to weight loss.

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Thursday, August 30

I ate this:

Breakfast: Diet Coke, Modified Beans and Franks Casserole (weird I know, but baby!)Lunch: Skipped it. I ate a late breakfast. Diet Coke.Snack: SkippedDinner: Hansen’s Diet Root Beer, and Modified Beans and Franks Casserole (the same thing… I know… welcome to the world of recipe development. You eat a lot of the same things over and over…)Late-night meal: 1 cup chili, 2 Tbsp sour cream, 2 Tbsp cheese sauce, 2 Tbsp chopped sweet onion

Notes: I love my energy levels. I am so happy to make healthy, delicious foods, sticking to my plan, and slimming down. I also like not feeling so hungry.

I exercised:

I did a big, circuitous route through Target. Stop looking at me that way. It was a big store.

Today I Learned:

I need to unleash my inner nerd…and move more.

Writing and editing is a full-time job, and it means sitting at my desk full-time. I spend upwards of 12-14 hours a day writing, researching and editing, and in the process, I forgot to get up off of my keister. I need to make some time to get up and keep the circulation flowing. Not easy to do sometimes.

That said, I am looking into a treadmill desk. You walk only 1 mile per hour (it’s really slow) and you can use a computer at the same time. I’m thinking it’s perfect!

Convinced at the treadmill desk’s awesomeness? I am. And even though I almost fell off of a treadmill once when I sneezed, tried not to pee, and reflexively crossed my knees during the process, even I can manage not to fall off of the thing whether I’m emailing, writing site content, editing, taking calls, or, well, playing Words With Friends.

I am not sure I’m a fan of the price of his desk since I already own a treadmill, so I am going to see if my husband can build a desk for me with the non-time he has between work, MBA classes, and logging property for a septic tank. *snicker*

Still, doesn’t that look like a hoot? What do you think? Would you use a treadmill desk? And how are you doing with your eating and your own physical fitness?

Comments

What a coincidence. I listened to a podcast with Jimmy Moore interviewing Dr. Joan Vernikos this morning on how unhealthy it is to spend long blocks of time sitting. She has written a book called Sitting Kills, Moving Heals. They talked about something that sounded like a treadmill desk. Did you listen too?

I’m not sure I would be safe on it though.

You’re so busy. Getting to day four means you are on your way. Have a great weekend in case I don’t come back before weigh in.

Sharon, I started cooking and creating out of necessity. I am too stubborn to think that the only thing out there to eat are scrambled eggs and steaks (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Atkins was the original man with the crazy recipe plan, but I hope he’s smiling down on us from Heaven and eating an oopsie roll.

You don’t seem to be eating too many healthy meats & veggies. Also eggs & sea foods. The zucchini noodles with chili & cauliflower casserole/salad thing were the best you’ve done. I think you had a salad once. The baked potato was a surprise though since it’s very high on the glycemic index. Dr. Davis (Wheat Belly) most recent article addresses the negative health effects that even a few bites of something like a potato can have here:http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2012/08/heart-poison/
And you eat mostly processed meats. Your diet soda addiction isn’t very healthy. Did you know that carbonated water kills digestive enzymes? You would do better having water or even a cup of coffee or tea with your meals. I love your recipes but I’m concerned that you not eating a very healthy diet at the moment.
Okay, enough nagging dear…I will continue following your daily menus with fingers crossed.

Hi, Granny! I am so glad you wrote! I love you so much, and I appreciate that you care enough to write to me and give me a proper scolding. You made my whole morning.

You said: “You don’t seem to be eating too many healthy meats & veggies. Also eggs & sea foods.”
I promise my dishes are filled with healthy meats and veggies and eggs. I don’t often eat seafood, but it’s largely because I wasn’t raised eating it. I do like tilapia and shrimp, but I only have those probably every other week or so. What kind of seafood do you enjoy? I would love some ideas. My good friend Robin loves crab cakes, and I have made scallops before.

You said: ” I think you had a salad once.”
I love you. You sound like me with others. We might be related. As you know, even not in salad form, veggies come in all shapes, forms and sizes! I have enjoyed my zucchini noodles, my baked potato salad (made from cauliflower salad), my coleslaw, and that scrumptious spinach/tomato salad. I eat a lot of veggies. I think they are supremely important for health– I just haven’t been hungry, so I’m having a hard time getting all my carbs in.

You said: ” The baked potato was a surprise though since it’s very high on the glycemic index. Dr. Davis (Wheat Belly) most recent article addresses the negative health effects that even a few bites of something like a potato can have here”
Sorry for the confusion! My salad is made from cauliflower, not potato. I eat a potato and swell up so much you could have me hover over the Superbowl and sell Goodyear tires.

You said: “And you eat mostly processed meats. ”
This week, for sure. I usually start my first week of low carb back with easy grab-and-go proteins like uncured bacon, all-beef hot dogs and uncured pepperoni during the day while I’m working. It’s just super easy. I also east grass-fed beef, turkey, chicken, eggs, and–occasionally–fish. This weekend I’m playing with ground turkey (I can’t wait!).

You said: “Your diet soda addiction isn’t very healthy. Did you know that carbonated water kills digestive enzymes? You would do better having water or even a cup of coffee or tea with your meals.”
I agree totally. I am getting there, too. I have to take baby steps. I am a baby stepper. First I am weaning off of the aspartame. Then I will wean off of the Splenda. Then I will wean from the Zevia. And then I’ll be back to unsweetened iced tea and water. I can’t go cold turkey on this habit! Not yet anyway. I love you for sharing your knowledge. Thank you! You kick the butt. Well, my but. But I know it’s out of love and caring. So thank you.

You said: “I love your recipes but I’m concerned that you not eating a very healthy diet at the moment. Okay, enough nagging dear…I will continue following your daily menus with fingers crossed.”
The first week back is always rough for me, so my menus are a little silly. I am rarely hungry, have been doing revision deadlines for a book I’m ghost writing for a publisher, have other writing assignments for some amazing people, and four kids who I love to death but suck my brains out of my head. It gets better! The biggest situation with a recipe developer is that I might actually eat the same thing three times per day just because it’s what I have available and ready to go. For me, it’s usually about ease, so (I didn’t add this to my menu for yesterday) at 11:30, I was starving and ate a bowl of chili with cheese and sour cream. There was a lot of amazing, healthy protein and sat fats there, so I went to bed happy and woke up down a couple of pounds.

OK. I hope I’ve allayed some concerns. I really do value you and thank you for coming to give me the what-for. You = awesome.

Jamie, So sweet of you to answer so quick with your busy schedule!
Wow, I really did sound like a nag didn’t I?
Glad you’re weaning off the diet soda thing and that the potato was a mistake in wording instead of a mistake in eating. I know it’s hard to keep sane with kids and all their activities plus everything you do online

“The biggest situation with a recipe developer is that I might actually eat the same thing three times per day just because it’s what I have available and ready to go.”
Well dear, many years from now when the children have all left the nest you’ll be doing that again. LOL! I make a casserole and eat it for several meals/days in a row. When I have room in the freezer and I’m not being lazy, I portion it out into freezer containers so I can have my own TV dinners in the future. But more often than not I do eat the same think for several meals.

As for seafood ideas I do a very quick easy thing with almost all my seafood:
I melt some butter in a baking dish-1/2 stick for 2 filets or 8-10 large scallops, (I use salmon quite often) then I stir in 1-2 Tbls of lemon juice then flip the filets to coat, sprinkle with herbs & spices which I change up…from simple S&P & garlic powder or cajun spice blend or some other blend that sounds good-they make all those cool spice grinder things now that I like to try out. Flip the filets over and spice the other side, then I usually (but not always) sprinkle some Parmesan on top and bake @ 400 for 15-20 minutes. Goes nice with cauli-rice with some of the lemon butter juice poured over it! I also do quick shrimp scamp quite a bit which goes well with those zucchini noodle.

That’s all for me, keep up the good work as you are helping many with your great recipe ideas! I think it also helps when people can see that we all sometimes stumble and have to figure out how to get back up to speed again so I commend you for laying it all out there.

Oh, you didn’t sound like a nag. I could tell you are concerned, and I seriously appreciate it!

And… Just for you, I am eating tuna salad for lunch! It’s dry, though. I need more mayo… BRB

Back mayolicious. Thanks so much for your seafood ideas! I will make some more. I forgot to mention that I LOVE tuna steaks. My husband loves salmon.

I am glad to hear you eat the same things for several meals, too! I definitely do this. Sometimes it’s just because I really love it. I just made a seriously amazing zucchini bread, though and only took a tiny tiny corner. I am really doing my best to be good and stay away from too many sweets. So far, I am doing really well! OK, OK, so the diet sodas are “sweets”, but they’re almost zero-carb, thankfully.

Sometimes you just have to eat junk food! After we are human and crave it!
Even if it is just once a year!

This task is made especially easy when Maple Leaf Foods produces a NATURAL hot dog…no fillers, no bread crumbs, no sugar, just meat and smoke….0 carb! Bless them!

$2.99 on sale! Per package….love at first sight!…a small 375 gram package, (12 ounces)

Just had to buy them when I saw them! I couldn’t wait to get home! Just Microwaved them and thoroughly enjoyed them with a dollop of sugar free ketchup…and French’s mustard!

Yes, we just have to find a way to create a hot dog bun! I was in Dollarama yesterday, I should have paid more attention to the cooking section…even to look for a better dinner roll vessel. Mine is improvised! I will go again soon! Some out there help me, please. I want to use the flax fool recipe….buthhow do I accomplish a long roll shape for a hit dog!?

These would have been spectacular with a roll…..not just eaten with a fork! But the quality was fantastic…and I do not need to go shopping at all this weekend, unless I want or….need more eggs! You see eating with a fork, has no ‘bulk’ to the meat…all I have is a thin hot dog! ..and a fork!
*************
And today, I recreated a grand mother favourite! Hotdogs and scrambled eggs for breakfast! This nostalgia memory induced cooking makes dieting so much more …can I say fun? And lunch will be a wonderful Angus beef sirloin….and a Caesar salad. I can’t wait! Yummy!

I sit at a desk all day (at home – I am a remote medical transcriptionist) and I can tell you there’s no way I could use a treadmill desk without killing myself. However, I do have a new Schwinn Airdyne ex bike (the arms move, too) that I love and have been using that. Also trying to just take breaks and get up and move around the house, and drink water every time I go through the kitchen.

I love cooking, have George Stella’s books and have been cooking through some of them lately. Last night, we had crepes (made with almond flour and eggs from my chickens) filled with spinach, bacon, ham, mushrooms, and cheese. Key lime cheesecake for dessert.

I have made your cheesecake (twice – family request!) and can’t wait to make some of your new recipes.

We built a treadmill desk last summer when I was trying to reduce my sedentary time. And by “we” I mean the royal we (as in, my husband). Works great, is cheap to do if you already have a treadmill, and hardly takes up any room at all. I’m fully behind you on this!

I learned this weekend that I have to check the labels on all packaged meat. I didn’t realize how many types of hotdogs and sausages use corn starch or corn syrup in them. Seriously? Corn syrup in Brats? Ugh. No wonder they give me heart burn. I have a horrible corn sensitivity.

Ugh! That is terrible, Julie! It surprises me, too. I know I can’t trust certain stores for meat because they inject even steaks with chemicals for “flavor.” Since I have a family filled with MSG sensitivities, bringing home one of those steaks means migraines across the board. I can’t do it.